Meet Our 2022 Leadership & Board

We are leaders

Jenny Nguyen

President

Together, let’s build a COMMUNITY of leaders where we we can learn, grow, and feel empowered to achieve our goals and make change!

Jenny has held a variety of roles within NAAAP, including Vice President of Internal Affairs and Director of Social Media & Public Relations for NAAAP DC, Volunteer Coordinator for NLA, and Registration & Career Fair Director for the Leadership Convention.

She is the Vice President of the National Organization for Vietnamese American Leadership where she founded a mentorship program for Vietnamese college students. She is also on the Event Execution Committee of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and is a volunteer for Girls on the Run. Jenny received a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Wichita State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s in International Development Studies at George Washington University.

She enjoys volunteering, traveling, trying new foods, playing video games, and watching and playing sports.

Ashruta Acharya

Vice President of Internal Affairs

Drishti Wadhwa

Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations

Here to answer any and all of your questions regarding how I can help your growth and leadership journey.

Drishti Wadhwa is a Product Marketing Manager at Apprentice. She has her bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from UT Austin and is working n her master’s degree from Georgetown University. She’s involved in the Junior League and runs her own business, Boutique Memories, on Etsy in her free time. She’s an ENFJ and an enneagram 8.

Crystal Hamilton

Director of Marketing

I am here to create an environment that promotes empathy & authenticity.

Born and raised in the DMV, Crystal aspired to be an artist the moment she was able to hold a crayon. Though she generally loves the world of art and design, her true passions remain in fashion, graphic, and interior design.

She graduated from George Washington University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, but eventually pursued a career for a Big 4 consulting company helping with business transformation using the latest technologies from development to implementation. However, she applies her creative perspectives in all aspects of her professional and personal life.

Nicole Arcilla

Director of Self-Care & Wellness

Chris Clayton

Director of DEI

Champion of Diversity. A servant leader with a people-first focus.

Born in the Philippines, the second of 2 boys, to an American sailor (father) and a native Filipina (mom), the family pursued a new life collectively in the United States first settling in his father’s hometown of Philadelphia, PA.

Chris spent his formative years growing up in Miami, FL. where he ran track and played football in high school before pursing a degree in Apparel Design and Technology at Florida State University.

Professionally working in fashion industry for close to 2 decades, Chris’ experience is primarily on the human resource, diversity, equity, inclusion, and work place culture front.
In addition to his professional endeavors Chris enjoys being involved in the community through volunteer efforts that connect citizens, business, and government under the mantra: Community. Culture. Commerce.

He is a community builder, architect of workplace culture, and civically engaged.

Teach Roberts

Director of Community Outreach

I am super excited to be back with NAAAP DC. I am looking forward to helping make 2022 a memorable year for NAAAP!

Holly Thompson

Co-Director of Professional Development

It is my hope that NAAAP helps you to grow as a person and as a leader!

“Your mind is infinite, it’s your doubts that are limiting.” – Robert Kiyosaki.

This powerful quote summarizes Holly B. Thompson’s philosophy in all areas of life. As a person, an administrative professional at Johns Hopkins University, a real estate investor, a tax professional, a landlord, and in all other ventures of her life- Holly remains grounded in this quote.

Now as she enters her new role as the Director of Professional Development at the National Association of Asian American Professionals, DC (NAAAP DC), she seeks to help others leave their doubts behind and realize their potential.

Alicia Jose

Co-Director of Professional Development

Hello and welcome! I’m looking forward to working together to support your leadership goals!

Alicia Jose serves as an Administrative Officer for the Federal Government. Ms. Jose has led multiple teams in her 13-year career, and currently co-leads an Asian American and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.

Recently, Ms. Jose received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland Global Campus (formerly UMUC).

Outside of work, Alicia enjoys attending concerts, writing music, gardening, hiking, rock climbing, and spending time with her family, friends, and two dachshunds.

Ashley Kim

Co-Director, Women in NAAAP

Hello and welcome to the NAAAP DC community!

Ashley Kim’s goal is to empower female leaders within NAAAP DC and the Asian community to succeed professionally and personally.

Ashley currently works at MMS, a strategic financial services firm. She previously worked as a consultant at JLL providing portfolio and asset management services for federal sector clients. Outside of work, she is actively involved as an advisor and board member for education and music nonprofit organizations.

Ashley graduated with an A.B. in Politics from Princeton University. She also studied at the Juilliard School as a competitive violinist. She enjoys film, coffee, golf, and traveling.